LEVELS DIGITAL DECODE #3: Venture news, agile software development, and the art of startup investments...
Welcome to Levels Digital Decode newsletter – our monthly deep dive into everything tech, entrepreneurship, growth marketing, and curated business insights. For the month of August, we've dedicated a large portion of the space to our incredible ventures and upcoming happenings around them, to provide a thorough update on anything and everything you as an investor or an entrepreneur should know. And, as always, we've sprinkled it with valuable insights on all things entrepreneurship. Enjoy!
Editors note: We wish to engage more with you, our followers, and hope our newsletter prompts interesting discussions and inspiration. Therefore, we would like you to let us know what you think of the newsletter and what topics interest you. Hit us up in the comment section!
In this Digital Decode:
Levels Venture Djungo Closes New Round of 15 MSEK and Gets Recognized by Major Nordic News Stations
The Djungo app is a social meeting place aimed at those who want to get in touch with new friends, exchange knowledge, or share interests, but also those who are searching for love but don't want to swipe for it. With a unique bot-moderated chat feature and a deep understanding of Gen Z's digital behavior patterns, the company aims to challenge the hitherto swipe-centric online dating industry by lowering the threshold for digital interaction, bringing back the joy of online social encounters. In February 2023, Djungo was recognized as “One to Watch” by Global Dating Insights (GDI), a world-leading source of global insights into the dating industry. In its Power Book 2023, GDI describes Djungo as a pioneering challenger to the industry status quo on a mission to solve the problem of unwanted loneliness.
In connection with the Swedish launch of the app, Djungo has successfully closed a financing round of SEK 15 million. The round was led by Levels with support from other investors such as Niklas Kylberg , business angel and owner of Rekomo , Michael Wolf , siblings Linda Malmstr?m Grassman and Sune Malmstr?m , co-owners of Villa Dagmar Stockholm and Hotel Diplomat , and Alexander Morad from Bright Mind Agency . Moving forward, Djungo will remain in close collaboration with Levels.
Read more about Djungo in Breakit and Dagens industri below (in Swedish).
Afripods’ New Broadcast-To-Podcast Technology Empowers African Publishers To Increase Profits
Levels venture Afripods , Africa's leading podcast hosting and distribution platform, has been operating in stealth mode for almost two years, working on its Broadcast-to-Podcast technology (B2P), resulting in an 895% increase in streams for participating radio stations and networks in the last six months. Afripods B2P currently has over 110 radio stations in eight African countries producing content in more than ten languages with an average month-over-month increase of 112% streams for stations. Afripods plans to expand its B2P into 15 markets and move from 10 to 20 languages by the end of 2023.
As a venture partner, Levels has helped build Afripods from the ground up – from writing the first line of code to assembling a local team with strong connections to podcasters and radio networks. The result is a "one-stop-shop" for podcast creators, listeners, and advertisers and a technical infrastructure for podcasting across the continent. By building a platform specifically adapted to the capacity of regional networks, bandwidth, and electronic devices, while maintaining a high technical pedigree, we have optimized both the user experience and business opportunities together.
Read the full press release below.
Strike Trading Cards Starts Collaboration with Swedish Volleyball
Strike Trading Cards , an app-based service for creating digital sports cards, has started a collaboration with Swedish Volleyball Association . The collaboration means that Swedish Volleyball will use Strike Trading Cards to create digital sports cards for their national teams.
— We are very happy to cooperate with Swedish Volleyball, says Mathias Lind , CEO at Strike Trading Cards. Volleyball is one of the world's biggest sports, and we look forward to helping Swedish Volleyball engage and inspire more people to play volleyball.
— We believe that Strike Trading Cards is a good way for us to reach more people with our sport, says Simon Dahl , Secretary General of the Swedish Volleyball Association. By creating digital sports cards for our national teams, we can make our players more accessible to our fans, and we can also use the sports cards to promote our sport and our competitions.
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Read the full press release below.
The Power of Agile Software Development: Accelerating Success for Digital Startups
Agile software development is a comprehensive and interactive approach to creating software products that place a strong emphasis on collaboration, iteration, and customer satisfaction. It revolves around continuous planning, testing, and feedback throughout the entire development process. Unlike the traditional waterfall methodology, which follows a strict linear path, agile development promotes delivering small and incremental improvements, known as "sprints," enabling rapid adaptability and flexibility in responding to changing requirements and market demands. This customer-centric approach ensures that the end product aligns closely with the needs and preferences of the users, resulting in higher overall satisfaction and successful project outcomes.
The Agile Manifesto outlines four core values that underpin this approach:
In the ever-changing tech landscape, embracing agile software development is not just an option but a transformative necessity for entrepreneurs, startups, and investors. It empowers businesses to thrive, innovate, and excel in an environment where adaptability and responsiveness are paramount.
Read the full article at our blog below.
Venture Studios vs. Accelerators: A New Path to Success for Digital Startups
As the digital landscape continues to evolve, the choices entrepreneurs make at the outset of their journey can profoundly shape the trajectory of their startups. The juxtaposition of venture studios and accelerators offers a striking illustration of diverse paths to growth and innovation. These two paradigms, while distinct in their approaches, converge on a shared goal: transforming entrepreneurial visions into thriving realities.
What becomes clear when comparing the two business models is that the venture studio stands as more than just an avenue for nurturing growth; it epitomizes a holistic transformational experience. Embarking on this journey equates to stepping into an immersive ecosystem, one where your idea is continuously refined, your strategy is fortified, and your market resilience is honed. It's an environment where collaboration fuels creativity, innovation becomes a way of life, and success is not just a destination but a continuous evolution.
Read the full article at our blog below.
Investing in the Nordic Startup Ecosystem: Trends and Opportunities
The Nordic startup ecosystem extends beyond its geographic boundaries; it thrives as a fertile breeding ground for innovation, nurtured by a unique blend of factors that actively foster entrepreneurial success. Rooted in a strong emphasis on education, social welfare, and infrastructure, the Nordic countries have cultivated an environment that encourages bold risk-taking and experimentation. This pervasive culture of innovation has sparked the emergence of a myriad of startups, boldly disrupting traditional industries and introducing groundbreaking technologies that have a far-reaching impact. As a result, the Nordic region stands as a beacon of entrepreneurial prowess, drawing global attention and admiration for its dynamic and forward-thinking approach to business and technology.
For Nordic startups, partnering with a venture studio offers unparalleled advantages. The Nordic region's fertile ground for innovation, coupled with the venture studio's hands-on approach, ensures startups receive crucial support, guidance, and access to funding. By tapping into a diverse range of investment trends, such as tech-driven ventures, sustainability initiatives, and deep tech advancements, venture studios empower startups to pioneer groundbreaking technologies and disrupt traditional industries.
Read the full article at our blog below.